Minimizing Worker Safety Risks in the Wind Energy Industry

Like all energy sectors, the wind energy industry is one filled with risks. From testing and production of wind turbine components through to transport, installation and lifetime servicing of turbines, occupational safety and health (OSH) risks abound at every step of the process.

That the number of people working in the wind industry is rapidly growing – surpassing one million in 2014 and projected to surpass two million by 2030 – adds further cause for attention to be paid to safety.

Today, OSH is at the forefront of the wind industry supply chain, and efforts to foster safer working environments are materializing in several ways.

Chris Streatfeild, RenewableUK’s Director of Health & Safety, said that the energy industry is familiar with OSH risks.

“Good experience in managing working height, working in confined spaces, electrical mechanical safety etc., all of these are hazards we’re very familiar with; we’ve got a long history at managing them well. The wind turbine isn’t particularly complex or unique in respect to safety.”

On the other hand, he said that working in remote areas such as offshore wind farms and onshore wind turbines far from population centers “bring additional challenges.”